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When to Plant Cilantro in Decatur County, TN

Cilantro is a dual-purpose herb providing fresh leaves (cilantro) and dried seeds (coriander). It bolts quickly in heat, producing flowers beloved by beneficial insects.

Decatur County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 1,168 feet, Decatur County receives approximately 55 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cilantro root diseases.

Decatur County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Decatur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 28

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,587 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Decatur County, TN

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 10 May 10 โ€“ Jul 12

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Decatur County

Succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather. Harvest leaves before flowering or allow some plants to go to seed for coriander and self-sowing.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in Decatur County, TN?

Decatur County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Decatur County, TN?

Decatur County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Decatur County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Decatur County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.